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Myid Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Comparative of Inferiority
An English study book says, "He is less stupid than I thought he was is better expressed by either He is not so stupid as I thought he was or He is cleverer than I thought he was.
The book does not explain why they are considered as better expression.
Instead, it lists some more sentences of a kind and ask the readers to reword them as suggested because they are not good ones.
For example,
My mother is less old than you think she is.
These grapes are less expensive than those.
A donkey is less beautiful than a horse.
Would please tell me why "less ~ than comparison" is not regarded as good expression? Is there any grammatical background?
The book does not explain why they are considered as better expression.
Instead, it lists some more sentences of a kind and ask the readers to reword them as suggested because they are not good ones.
For example,
My mother is less old than you think she is.
These grapes are less expensive than those.
A donkey is less beautiful than a horse.
Would please tell me why "less ~ than comparison" is not regarded as good expression? Is there any grammatical background?
Top answer
HI Myid, "He is less stupid than I thought .... " Well, this is not quite what natural English would sound like. " My mother is younger than you think she is.
- HI Myid, "He is less stupid than I thought ....
- " Well, this is not quite what natural English would sound like.
- " My mother is younger than you think she is.
- These grapes are less expensive than those - OK, but also you can say "cost less" A donkey is less beautiful than a horse.
- Ok, but also can be "less appealing".
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9 Answers
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HI Myid,
"He is less stupid than I thought .... " Well, this is not quite what natural English would sound like.
I would say it this way:" He is smarter than I thought..."
My mother is younger than you think she is.
These grapes are less expensive than those - OK, but also you can say "cost less"
A donkey is less beautiful
"He is less stupid than I thought .... " Well, this is not quite what natural English would sound like.
I would say it this way:" He is smarter than I thought..."
My mother is younger than you think she is.
These grapes are less expensive than those - OK, but also you can say "cost less"
A donkey is less beautiful
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Thank you for your reply.
However, as a foreigner learning English, I need a certain explanation why some sounds natural and others does not.
Otherwise, it is very difficult for me to tell when I can use "less ~ than" and when I shouldn't.
However, as a foreigner learning English, I need a certain explanation why some sounds natural and others does not.
Otherwise, it is very difficult for me to tell when I can use "less ~ than" and when I shouldn't.
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Hi myid, and welcome to the forums.
In general,
is less [adjective] than...
can be
She is not as [adjective] as... (As an American, I say "not as X as" but I think in BrE it's "not so X as")
She is less old than you think = She is not as old as you thiink.
These are less expensive than those = These are not as expensive as those.
A
In general,
is less [adjective] than...
can be
She is not as [adjective] as... (As an American, I say "not as X as" but I think in BrE it's "not so X as")
She is less old than you think = She is not as old as you thiink.
These are less expensive than those = These are not as expensive as those.
A
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myid, I need a certain explanation why some sounds natural and others does not.
I believe that "natural" goes along with being "native" and defies logical explanation.
In your original, I feel that "less stupid" implies that he is, in fact, still stupid, and not very complimentary. "More intelligent" is just a little more positive in its approach.
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Dear Grammar Geek,
Thank you for your answer.
I am not asking how to change "less ~ than" structure to "not as ~ as"
My question is;
1) "less ~ than" is not a good expression as the book says?
(perhaps not generally but in certain situations or with certain adjective)
2) If so, why is that?
3) Is there any rule when I need to avoid "less ~ than" expression?
Thank you for your answer.
I am not asking how to change "less ~ than" structure to "not as ~ as"
My question is;
1) "less ~ than" is not a good expression as the book says?
(perhaps not generally but in certain situations or with certain adjective)
2) If so, why is that?
3) Is there any rule when I need to avoid "less ~ than" expression?
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Thank you Philip.
May I understand this way?
He is less stupid than you think he is. -> offensive
He is not as stupid as you think he is. -> less offensive
He is smarter than you think he is. -> the least offensive
May I understand this way?
He is less stupid than you think he is. -> offensive
He is not as stupid as you think he is. -> less offensive
He is smarter than you think he is. -> the least offensive
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As Philip said, it defies a logical explanation. Of your examples, the mother one sounded odd, and the donkey one a bit odd, but the grapes sounded just fine.
However, in all of them, the "not as X as" would sound fine, so it's safe to use that construction until you have a feeling for the others.
However, in all of them, the "not as X as" would sound fine, so it's safe to use that construction until you have a feeling for the others.
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Imid,
I need a certain explanation why some sounds natural and others does not.
I don't want to dowse your enthusiasm. Beside a persistent learning attitude, it will require constant usage and exposure to English to get a sense of what sound natural. I only say this.
Generally speaking, words have carry positive and negative elements.
If I say "John i
I need a certain explanation why some sounds natural and others does not.
I don't want to dowse your enthusiasm. Beside a persistent learning attitude, it will require constant usage and exposure to English to get a sense of what sound natural. I only say this.
Generally speaking, words have carry positive and negative elements.
If I say "John i
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myidMay I understand this way?The degree of offensiveness has nothing to do with the guideline you were given. You are simply being asked to remember that m
He is less stupid than you think he is. -> offensive
He is not as stupid as you think he is. -> less offensive
He is smarter than you think he is. -> the least offensive
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